Arkivism
Napkin with herm, god and lions amidst acanthus leaves
Public domain

Napkin with herm, god and lions amidst acanthus leaves

anonymous · c. 1850 - c. 1899 · satijnbinding; damask; linen (material)

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Linen damask napkin with a herm, god, and lions amidst acanthus leaves. Central field: quatrefoils of floral bouquets with roses and scattered foliage. In the unbordered quatrefoils, the bouquets are placed diagonally on two acanthus volutes. Corners: diagonally placed a herm with a Midas head (or donkey's head?), with musical instruments and thyrsus staffs. Left and right, a lion turned towards the center, held in check by a winged young god (Apollo?) draped in drapery. Borders: without a dividing line, the field is surrounded by a broad border of symmetrical acanthus scrolls. Alternately, the deeply incised, feathered leaf volutes carry a basket of fruit and flowers, or they stand in two spirals turned towards each other, ending in a ram's mask, above two flower branches and a pinecone.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Subjects
napkin
Credit lineServet met herme, god en leeuwen te midden van acanthusbladeren. c. 1850 - c. 1899. anonymous. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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